By Do Je-hae
Staff Reporter

In preparation for the 60th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War in 2010, South Korea and the United States have officially begun arrangements to mark the historical occasion.

Both governments are determined to use it to renew their commitment to their common goal of freedom and peace, and to inform the next generation of the historical lessons from the Korean War.

Additionally, Korea and the United States will remind people in both countries to remember those who gave their lives to defend Korea and safeguard the region's peace.

Korea established an ad-hoc committee headed by Prime Minister Han Seung-soo last month to initiate commemorative projects. Officials from the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, the Ministry of Public Administration and the Seoul City Administration will be seconded to the committee. One of the projects will include organizing sessions about veterans' experiences in the war for young students.

In addition, the Ministry of National Defense is also operating a secretariat to make arrangements to commemorate the outbreak of the war next year.

``Through these projects, we hope that Koreans will remember how far we have come since the Korean War to achieve remarkable economic progress," said Kim Yang, Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs in a recent statement.

``We will also use the occasion to promote our ties with the 21 countries who fought with us in the war as members of the U.N. alliance," Kim said.

Meanwhile, the United States also recently launched a committee comprised of U.S. veterans of the Korean War to head their commemorative projects.

It is based in Virginia and is led by Lt. General William R. Maloney, who participated in combat operations in Korea as a platoon commander with the U.S. Marines in December 1951.

Maloney discussed the projects with General Walter L. Sharp, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, and has asked the U.S. Congress to take an interest in the upcoming anniversary of the Korean War in 2010.

jhdo@koreatimes.co.kr